Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Jungle Taming Continues!

Okay, you all know how BAD this huge yard looked because I don't know enough to pretend I'm normal.

What is NORMAL, anyway???? Clearly it's some standard of being I have yet to acquire, LOL!!!

But we've made some progress.

Here's a pic of the JUNGLE area as it used to be:

And here's a pic of the ongoing project: (muscle provided by our son Seth):

And here's a pic of the initial water garden Seth installed:

In the effort of full disclosure, let this author reveal that this water garden kit was a Mother's Day gift from her children five years ago and has been banging around the yard being used as a children's pool, sauna, boat, detective's office and meeting place until this time. I actually had to fill it with water to make sure we hadn't sprung a leak.

Yes, that's our normal, LOL!

But now it's got a place of honor in the front yard. Not quite done, still have to plant the mums and spread wood chip mulch, but check this out:

We nabbed some sunnies from our back farm pond, so it's got fish swimming around. Frogs. So sweet! And I robbed from my hosta and perennial stashes planted hither, thither (what is a thither??? Does anyone know? And don't you just love Olde English???) and yon so the only money I spent was on a $37 yard of gravel to use for leveling the pond (and providing good drainage underneath so it doesn't heave mid-winter)...

And for this "cost me nothing" stone path leading to the front porch:

(path dug by my friend Kyle, 14 years old, and desperate for money, so having him help me that day got him a ticket to the amusement park...)

(Stones placed by Seth... We need to bring it up a little and he keeps giving me DARK LOOKS because setting fieldstone firmly in place is a stone by stone process. Oops. Shoulda made the hole a little shallower! Eeek!)

And we managed (by we I mean Kyle) to break the Invisible Fence wire while digging the sidewalk...

but then Kyle and I spliced it and re-buried it. Every girl should know how to set stone and splice wires. I'm just sayin'... Note the tiny white flags marking where we re-routed the invisible fencing wire in case I have the brilliant idea of digging there again.

Oy on me!

So we're getting there! Step by step. This is our strict budget way of bartering for work, using supplies on hand (even if they're five years old!) and tackling things one by one.

Stay tuned for updates on the "Swingy Jungle".

Yes.

We are the proud owners of not one but TWO jungles. After all, God created jungles, right? I'm just trying to tame them... somewhat.

List of upcoming books and novellas!!!

Home on the Range

Nick Stafford didn't ride off, chasing some dream... He stayed home, helping his father build a world-renowned ranch. Now his brothers are back and his father's sick and if you want to call Nick frustrated, well.. you wouldn't be wrong. He's the son who chose to stay, but so far, staying is only half the battle... And this is his story.

Their Surprise Daddy

When two illegal immigrant children face severe consequences, can their two law-appointed guardians find a way to keep them safe, happy and maybe offer them a home-sweet-home together? The last thing the youngest Gallagher sister wants is to be attracted to a wealthy, stuck-on-himself Manhattan money-mover, but as she works side-by-side with handsome Cruz Maldonado, she sees the scarred man beneath the brilliance... and the tender heart he tries so hard to hide. I hope you love this beautiful story of sacrificial love and coming home... to Grace Haven, a town full of heart and hope.

Peace in the Valley

And here it is, the story you've been waiting for. The third son, not by birth but by design: God's design. The one whose destiny lay intertwined with so many others, the one whose golden future was born of a dismal past. Trey's story, the country crooner who comes home searching for what he never really lost in the first place: love.

Book Signing!!!

These lovely gals from the Parma Public Library have graciously hosted me several times! The Friends of the Parma Public Library have been wonderfully supportive of my work and they are just the nicest bunch of people you'll ever meet. Giving a shout out to all of you gals, and a huge thank you!

Oh my stars, thanks for comin' over!!!

Yes, it's me, once again bothering innocent people and shamelessly exploiting small children and animals to sell wonderful sweet books that make you feel just a little bit better about most everything when you're done with them. I try to write the kind of book I like to READ... It just makes sense, doesn't it? :) If you click on the books below, they spring to life with a link to Amazon. I even make buying EASY for you. And inviting. If you can't afford the books (been there, done that, totally understandable) ask your local library to get them in. They're wonderful. I promise.

Woman's World article

Oh my stars!!! Huge thanks to Woman's World and Carla for choosing Winter's End as a BEST BEACH READ!

About Me

Ruth Logan Herne likes to be called “Ruthy”, she loves God, her family, her country, coffee and chocolate, thinks snakes should always live outside, possums should leave the cat food on the side porch alone and all grandchildren should be named for her.
A mother and grandmother to seriously smart young people, she writes stories of humor, hope and faith, embracing God’s love and life’s opportunities. Now an established author with Love Inspired Books, her North Country books secured the coveted 4 ½ Star Romantic Times rating and Philosophy of Romance named Made to Order Family their “Book of the Year” for 2010.
Her 2011 series is set in Allegany County, NY, one of the most gorgeous places on Earth. All three books have received a 4-Star rating! Set in the foothills of the Allegheny range, a Brigadoon-type town is coaxed back to life through love, romance, hard work and a strengthening economy. These are stories of new beginnings and righting old wrongs...
Ruthy is also proud that "Winter's End" has been nominated for the prestigious Carol Award for Christian fiction AND that "Winter's End" received the Holt Medallion Award of Merit for best first book.
Amazing.